NEO Scavenger

I've just finished uploading new beta test build 0.983b[bluebottlegames.com], which includes non-hostile NPC interactions, dynamic factions, armor, and new creature sprites. There are now two violent gangs roaming the map, DMC guards patrolling the sprawl, and looters caught in the middle. What's more, all of them are "strangers" until they do something that identifies them as friend or foe.

Guards shaking down some looters near the DMC sprawl.

The build is available to anyone who owns the beta at bluebottlegames.com, or on Desura and Steam. Desura (and therefore, Groupees) users can use Desura Connect[www.desura.com] to gain access here, or even get their Steam keys and try it on Steam.

To access the test build on the official site, simply visit the beta page[bluebottlegames.com], and click any of the download links below the usual Windows, Mac, and Linux buttons.

Steam users can access the test build by opting into the beta for it. To do so, open up your Steam client and:

Right-click on NEO Scavenger in your Steam library

Choose "Properties"

Choose the "BETAS" tab in the resulting dialog box.

In the drop-down, select "public_test."

Following the above steps will begin downloading version 0.983 immediately. Just click "Play" when it's done!

Fixed a bug that caused blunt damage to not be reported on arms and legs.

Fixed a bug that caused cut wounds to be preferred over blunt wounds if weapon did both types of damage.

Fixed a bug that caused AI to choose attack modes with no ammo.

Fixed a bug that caused current camp to disappear from inventory when using hide.

Fixed a bug that caused AI to carry items that they could equip instead.

Fixed animal AI so it doesn't wield arrows stuck in wounds.

Fixed bug that allowed water tester to be used if no charges inside.

(Plus more! So much that it breaks the Steam Announcement character limit!)

Much of this is new stuff to see and play with, but hopefully, quite a lot will fix issues that people encountered in 0.982. And if this build seems stable enough, I'll make it the official build to replace 0.982. (And likely, update the demo at that time, too.)

As always, let me know if you have any feedback or issues with this build. And have fun!

@Crushfield, it's technically possible, though would take a bit of work. I have a note to self, in case there's time to look into it.

@Yippie Ki-Yay, there are currently only the ones in the skill select screen, unfortunately. One can upgrade their character in the beta via augmentations in the DMC, but it's only minor at the moment.

@BoxCatGamer, this is a bug in the AI factions code which happens when 2 or more NPCs share a hex. They try to share faction opinions and sometimes decide to suddenly hate the player. It's being fixed!

I was in the city, a bunch of guards around me and I never attacked any of them. I was making a bunch of bows to sell, but then suddenly I came in contact with a guard, offered to talk, and he shot me right in the chest twice, killing me. Why did this happen? Please tell me.

i think youre right ^^. Sometimes I think of a backstory for about an hour before i play. Sometimes id like a war veteran who got wounded and cant see well because of that and sometimes i just want a poor thief. But I doesn't matter what kind of person i make, nobody survives diarrhea xD

That's an interesting idea. And in fact, both the metabolism skill and trait are kinda like this. (Skill reduces hunger/thirst, but also healing rate, and trait is inverse)

However, I'm thinking the more granular they are, the more freedom they offer to players. E.g. some players might choose to be myopic because they are a hacker, reasoning that they spent a lot of time working indoors. While others might opt for a hacker with eagle eye, since they were an avid hiker in their past.

This is the best Survival game that I have ever played :D . There´s nice humor, nice style and the gameplay is amazing. But it would be nice if you would add "neutral traits". They would give you an advantage but also a disatvantage. Would be really awesome to see that :D

Yep, the NaN pants can be worn again. It's not normal (NaN is a bug), but it's expected with that type of bug.

@Randymidget, probably not. NEO Scavenger "1" is going to be more nomadic in nature, so no followers nor settlement-creation. You may make some allies in the world, but nobody will form an adventuring party or anything like that. Maybe in future games!